Book review – Jihadi, by Yusuf Toropov

Jihadi. What can I say about it? It’s complicated. Really, it is. A deep book on many levels. Many layers. Complicated to read in the first chapters as well, because of the form the book has been created.

I must first say that I travelled part of the journey to completion of the book together with the author after meeting him online. He shared bits of it, asked the opinion of friends, even from me a few times. And he worked hard and long on it.

Jihadi tells about governments, political play and the way how people can get influenced. The story is not easy to read, as I said. It’s demanding. It keeps you on your toes. A US intelligence man is accused of terrorism and held in a prison that no one knows about. There he writes his memoirs, and through those slowly the story comes to life. A story that kicks, bites and screams, and makes you feel sorry for people who get mixed up in so much crap. If you feel up to it, follow Thelonius Lidell. See how he ended up where he is now.

Again, this is a hard read, but very worth the time.

Well done, Yusuf.

Note to the reader of this review: after reading Jihadi you’ll get this.